Posted on: March 6, 2026
Written by: Jireh Pearl Casionan
Shella Ann Magno, a CARD, Inc. client from Matina, Davao City, stands fulfilled in their corporate office for livestock and poultry feed ingredients.
For a poultry and livestock feed distributor, the growth of livestock farms is a source of joy. Shella Ann Magno, a distributor of feed meals and ingredients from Matina, Davao City, supplies livestock farmers with high-quality premix products.
She started the business with her husband. While many similar businesses begin with more than half a million pesos in capital, the couple started with a modest PHP 300,000. They grew the business each year until it became a corporation with multiple investors and actively involved managing members.
Then dark times came: the COVID-19 pandemic hit, followed by the outbreak of African Swine Fever. This led to the death of many animals, causing livestock production to decline. As a result, their regular livestock farmers were unable to purchase feed, as many of their hogs had died. Sales dropped, customer numbers decreased, and the business suffered.
Instead of closing the business, Shella chose to continue operating, even when sales slowed down, and uncertainty filled the market. She remained focused on sustaining relationships with her clients and maintaining the quality of their products. To her, the business was not merely a means of earning. Even in the midst of a crisis, she viewed it as a legacy she hoped to continue building and pass on to her children.
In 2022, a new chapter began. After a decision made by the corporation’s board, Shella officially took over the leadership of the company. From serving as a co-owner with shared management responsibilities, she became fully responsible for overseeing operations, making key decisions, and leading the company forward. The transition was not easy, but she embraced the challenge and continued strategizing.
Back in 2018, she became a client of CARD, Inc. (A Microfinance NGO), which played a significant role in stabilizing the business. As a client, she was able to access additional capital through loans. From her first loan of PHP 10,000 to subsequent financing, the support helped her replenish stocks, sustain operations, and gradually regain momentum after the crisis.
What sets their business apart is its focus on quality and technology. They supply unique pre-mixes and feed ingredients designed to improve livestock health and growth. She strengthens client trust through product presentations, continuous product knowledge sharing, rebates, and even incentive trips.
Beyond profits, she invests in her staff. They provide employees with government-mandated benefits, bonuses, outings, and travel opportunities. She also ensures proper waste segregation and complete business permits.
Outside the business, Shella participates in extending help to the community. During calamities, she dedicates relief goods for distribution. She donates food and toys to cancer patients at House of Hope in Davao City and provides school supplies to indigenous children.
Today, she describes her life and business as more progressive than when she first started. Financially, she is now able to help her family more. Though challenges remain in the livestock industry, the business continues to operate and serve livestock farmers in Davao City with renewed strength. “Complications really come,” she admitted, “but with determination, wise decisions, and the right support system, the business can rise again.”
Success, for Shella, is built on perseverance. Her advice to fellow entrepreneurs is simple: just continue what you have started, work hard, and improve your strategies. Their business story teaches more than survival. It also reflects leadership and holding the line in times of crisis.
With seven years as a CARD, Inc. client and 11 years in the business, Shella was recognized as a Gawad Masikhay Awardee during the 2025 Pagkilala sa Mga Likha ni Inay, an event by CARD MRI that honors microentrepreneurs who demonstrate resilience, dedication, and a positive impact on their communities.
